NGC Grades Mint Error 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half Dollar

NGC graders were surprised to find a 2014-D High Relief Silver 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half Dollar with a click at 10 o'clock. A clip is a mint error caused when a planchet is punched partly over an area that had previously been punched. As a result, the planchet is missing a piece—or is “clipped,” as numismatists would say.

2014-D High Relief Silver 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half Dollar Mint Error Click images to enlarge.

Clips, and mint errors in general, are seldom seen on modern US coins because of increased automation and improvements in quality control. Special issues, such as the Silver Kennedy 50th Anniversary Set, are virtually never seen with mint errors because of the extensive care and handling involved.

This clipped 2014-D High Relief Silver Kennedy Half Dollar was submitted to NGC as part of the four-coin Silver Kennedy Half Dollar 50th Anniversary set. An NGC grader identified a clip at 10 o’clock (obverse side), which is attributed on the NGC certification label. The area opposite the clip (4 o’clock on the obverse) also shows weakness. This is called the “Blakesley Effect” and is caused during the upsetting stage of the minting process.

When this coin is returned to the submitter, the mint error attribution will no doubt be a welcome surprise!

NGC attributes major US and world mint errors. The department is led by David Camire, one of the world’s foremost authorities on mint errors and co-author of the 100 Greatest Error Coins. To have a mint error evaluated by NGC, select “Mint Error” under Services on the NGC Submission Form.